FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A new study claims that the death of thousands of children may have been prevented by parents not sharing a bed with their child.

The study, by the American Academy of Pediatrics claims looked at the deaths of 8,200 infants who died because of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Researchers found that in 70 percent of those cases, an infant was sharing a bed with their parent.

The American Academy of Pediatrics claims many of those deaths could have been prevented had parents not shared a bed with their child.

Researchers also found that older babies were more likely to die rolling over onto blankets or pillows and suffocating. Despite that finding, SIDS is still the leading cause of death for babies a month to a year old.

A coordinator with Safe Kids Allen County, agrees with the study’s findings.

“The absolute worst is sleeping with the child. Either the child is in the bed with you or your sitting with a child and fall asleep with the infant in your arms,” Coordinator for Safe Kids Allen County Carmen DeBruce said.

The study also found that a third of the babies who died in the study were put to sleep on their sides or stomach. Safe Kids said babies should always be put on their backs to reduce the rick of SIDS. They also suggest getting rid of stuffed animals, bumpers and accessories that are soft because the soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep.